SOPRANOS STAR BOBBY FUNARO HITS NY LOTTERY

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

Story By: G. H. HARDING

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Bobby Funaro

CHEEKY MEN FINALE --- CBS’ powerhouse show Two and a Half Men ended their rather astounding 12-year run last night with an episode that not only broke the fourth wall several times, but included a homage to Silence Of the Lambs and numerous references to the show’s troubles with Charlie Sheen (millions in unpaid royalties and a host of his previous female interactions appearing) as well as the barbs that have been directed to the show pretty much since its inception.

It may seem like eons ago (4 years), but the ongoing Charlie Sheen vs. show-creator Chuck Lorre, seemed like an ongoing soap-opera some four years ago. You hated watching it; but, you couldn’t avert your eyes from it.

The show’s profits still remain an ongoing fascination within the industry, as they keep rolling in from massive syndication deals … and, they will continue for the foreseeable future.

A slew of guest stars (but, not Sheen) appeared in the show, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Judy Greer, and Christian Slater. Interestingly, Schwarzenegger delivered a spot on portrayal of a good L. A. cop named Wagner … who constantly corrected everyone’s pronunciation of his name. Totally funny!

Since Sheen’s abrupt departure, the show has been running somewhat aimlessly, with Ashton Kutcher, however, superbly filing Sheen's role. This season’s plot line had Ashton’s character, Walden, wanting to adopt a young boy … who surprisingly never even appeared in the episode. In fact, they largely abandoned the season’s plot altogether for this final episode.

The plot of the show was based on the premise that Sheen’s character, Charlie Harper, was still alive and about to exact some sort of payback on those who have both helped and hurt him.

Turns out that Sheen never did appear, though a visage of his character (bowling shirt and all) appeared near the end … as a piano was dropped on him.

The episode ended with the camera cutting to show creator Chuck Lorre sitting in a director’s chair and saying the words winning …. Sheen’s much ballyhooed battle cry during his exit, as a piano then dropped on him.

If you stuck around, as I did, to see Lorre’s vanity card at the end, you realized that Sheen had indeed been invited to appear, but opted not to. Honestly, he should have as his series Anger Management has shuttered and it would have been a nice coda to the show … but, that’s our Charlie!

Bizarre, self-reverential, a tad too defensive … Two and a Half Men ended with the show’s primary leads, Kutcher and Jon Cryer, sitting on their deck at their fabulous beach house in Malibu lamenting that things will go on … just as always. One thing’s for sure, the money train will!

BOBBY FUNARO WINS LOTTERY --- After stars turns in The Sopranos and American Gangster (not to mention Marty Scorsese’s upcoming HBO series with Mick Jagger), you can see Robert Funaro in the new commercial from the NY State Lottery.

The quick-plot is that a guy meets a girl; the girl gives him her number; he dials it … and, gets Sal’s Pizza, where he is quickly asked (Funaro) if it’s pickup or delivery.

It’s a sly, funny turn from Funaro and one that has already generated substantial feedback. Talk about start turns … this is terrific. Congrats Bobby!

OSCAR SUNDAY --- Sunday is the 87th Oscar ceremonies out in L. A. I think it’s been a pretty spectacular year for movies; Foxcatcher, Imitation Game, and, of course, Birdman being among my favorites. I think Michael Keaton and Julianne Moore will be winners, as will J. K. Simmons, but Boyhood (which I have not yet seen) and American Sniper, remain strong, strong contenders.

I’m looking forward to Neil Patrick Harris’ duties as MC. His hosting at the Tony’s having been mostly superb. It should be a fabulous show. More come Monday.

CLOSING NOTES --- Released yesterday, the new Aquaman image from Zack Snyder’s forthcoming movie, is just superb. Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) stars as the underwater superstar. Momoa will have a quick cameo in the upcoming Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, but his own movie will have to wait. The image featured the phrase Unite The 7; a reference to the forthcoming Justice League of America movie, also to be directed by Snyder. Rather than the rather-flimsy looking orange-outfitted character in the original comic book, here Aquaman has been bulked up and looks positively hunky. Check out the image here: 

Rumor has it that Monkee-Micky Dolenz will be back in the New York area come the summer? Stay tuned...

Photo Courtesy Of: David Salidor